SLIDESHOW: ‘Bundles of Laundry’ and ‘Bundles of Nerves’

Rows of cars crammed with laundry baskets, microwaves, televisions, and other essentials lined the drive in front of Fournier Hall at Chestnut Hill College on Friday, August 24 as roughly 215 freshman students moved-in.

Many students were excited and nervous about meeting their roommates.

While most colleges and universities use computer generated programs to match students with the ideal roommate, Jennifer Thorpe, director of Residence Life, said she still matches students to their roommate the “old fashioned way.”

“Because we’re so small, we can read the answers over and decide who might be best connected to be roommates,” Thorpe said. “I feel like I am the last hold-out.”

She added that even though it would save her a lot of time, the idea of a computer making the final decision about what students are going “to connect and live together”
scares her.

“One of my goals is to get a technological assignment process,” Thorpe said.
“There is only so old-school you can be in higher education.”

Thorpe said living on campus gives students an opportunity “to be integrated with the community” and “gives them a chance to learn and grow and figure out who they are.”

“And they can do it in an environment that is very secure and that has a lot of support,” Thorpe said.

Several Upper classmen were on hand to help new students unpack and adjust to dorm life. Many parents had mixed feelings about their children taking the next step towards adulthood.

Freshman Clarence Moore, 17, a Criminal Justice major from New York was excited to finally be moving in.

“I am excited that he is going to venture off into new endeavors,” said Kimsha Diaz, Moore’s mother.

Terry Grossman, whose daughter Nicole Grossman, will be attending Chestnut Hill College said she had “mixed feelings.”

“We are ready for her to start this part of her journey but we will miss her,” Grossman said.

But, Nicole’s big brother Tim disagreed.

“I am not gonna miss her,” he said laughing.

The residence halls and doors were decorated with various Harry Potter characters and other Hollywood characters.

Nick Giangiulio said when he first approached his daughter Adele’s dorm room he was confused.

“That’s my daughter’s name but that’s not her,” Nick Giangiulio said referring to the photo of Hermione Granger.

He said last night was the last evening at home and her grandparents, uncle and Godmother came over to enjoy a relaxing dinner and chat.

“There were lots of red eyes,” Giangiulio said.

Tina Giangiulio, Adele’s mother, was too emotional to say anything. She shook her head and continued to hang clothes in her daughter’s closet. But, Adele’s father was already thinking ahead.

“When she comes home next May, where am I gonna put all this crap,” said Nick Giangiulio, Adele’s dad, laughing. “Now, we will have an empty house and three little dogs that are going to miss her dearly.”